STEM Camp for All: Inspiring Young Minds Through Hands-On Learning
Hidden Hollow Elementary teacher Abigail Brown couldn't believe her ears when she heard excited voices coming down the hallway. "It was unbelievable. When you hear them coming, it's like, are they coming to me? Are they not coming to me?" she recalled, remembering the thrilling moment her classroom received a surprise $10,000 grant. With this generous funding, she launched a unique initiative: a "STEM Camp for All" week specifically designed for students from Title 1 campuses.
"My goal with the camp was to give Title 1 students a chance to explore their ideas and be creative at Camp Invention," Brown said. The week-long camp offered a hands-on experience where students could immerse themselves in STEM subjects through fun, interactive activities.
Turning Classroom Lessons into Real-World Experiences
Tong Utakrit, Advanced Learning & Services Director, emphasized how Camp Invention bridges classroom learning with practical applications. "Camp Invention allows our kids to take what they've learned in school and see what it looks like in real life," Utakrit explained. "They’re not just learning math or art—they’re exploring design, prototyping, and problem-solving. It’s a truly hands-on experience, showing them the process real-world inventors go through."
The camp proved to be more than just academic—students were thrilled by the interactive, creative challenges it presented.
Students' Favorite Moments
For Humble Elementary student Celia Burch, one of the camp's highlights was a glow-in-the-dark class, which featured her favorite animal, the axolotl. "There were a lot of axolotls, and I like axolotls a lot," Celia said excitedly.
Fellow camper Jimmie Cauley also enjoyed the glow-in-the-dark experience, where they used UV and regular lights in a creative project. "We were able to color a box and put the lights inside," he said.
The students’ imaginations flourished with other projects, too. Celia shared another favorite activity: "We made this robot, and we could put water inside, and it would, like, flow inside."
Expanding Opportunities for All Students
Funding covered most of the camp costs, with families contributing $50 toward tuition. The interest from the community was overwhelming. "We impacted 80 campers," Brown shared, "but we had a waiting list of 142. Those were families who paid the tuition, hoping a spot would open up. We know there’s a huge demand and a need to continue—and hopefully grow—this camp if funding allows."
A Heartfelt Thank You
Both students and educators expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity. "Thank you very much. I really enjoyed myself there," said Jimmie, while Celia added, "Thank you, because it was very fun, and I had lots of fun."
Brown echoed their sentiments, recognizing the crucial support they received. "The help we received in finding funding and the foundation's assistance in writing and securing the grant—it wouldn’t have happened without all of that."
Through the dedication of educators and the generosity of foundation supporters, STEM Camp for All became a reality, inspiring young learners and creating memorable experiences for everyone involved.
